1 Table Saw Safety
Any tool can be dangerous, however the nature of the table saw and its mechanics creates a higher potential for accidents. A 10 inch saw with the blade at maximum cutting depth has a 3 inches blade exposed above the table. The same 10 inch table saw turns at about 225 km/h, presenting a high potential for injury. Unguarded cutters are necessary for many joinery operations, increasing the potential for accidents. The table saw is prone to kickbacks; understanding the conditions that cause them will reduce the possibility of them occurring. Always use the appropriate prevention measures and safeguards.
Guidelines for Safe Ripping
- Keep your hands away from the saw blade at all times, and use all appropriate guards and splitters.
- Use a push stick if the rip fence is set for a 6 inch / 150 mm or less cut.
- Always use the correct blade for the material and type of cut you are performing.
- Set the blade to the correct height, with the gullets no more than 6 mm or ¼ inch above the surface of the material.
- Use an appropriate feed rate. With thicker and/or denser stock use a slower feed rate to allow the saw to complete the cut. Feeding stock too quickly is dangerous.
- Feed the wood smoothly throughout the cut. Do not pull the work back out of a rip cut — it can catch the blade and kickback.
- Whenever possible, do not stand behind the workpiece in the kick back zone between the blade and the rip fence. Some operations such as cutting large pieces may require it.
- The material to be ripped must have one flat face and one straight edge. These flat and straight reference surfaces ensure the workpiece remains stable and in contact with the table throughout the cut.
- The material to be ripped must remain firmly in contact with the rip fence at all times. Stock losing contact with the rip fence and contacting the back of the saw blade just after the cut creates a high potential for a kickback.
- The length of the workpiece against the rip fence should be greater than the width of the cut. This length-to-width orientation creates stability as the material is pushed along the rip fence.
- Push the material through the saw until it clears the back of the blade. Failing to do so leaves the workpiece in the kickback zone.
- Do not use your left hand to push the offcut clear of the bade as you are cutting. If the piece kicks back, it can drag your hand through the blade.
- When the cut is complete, do not pick the workpiece up off the table and carry it over the spinning blade. If you drop it, it will kick back. It is acceptable to slide the piece on the table around the right side of the rip fence, then pick it up.
- Do not reach behind the blade unless it has come to a complete stop, the workpiece can catch and drag your hand through the blade.
- When ripping solid stock, be aware of knots, splits, or other defects in the material. Knots can come loose and be thrown back at the operator. Splits can be a clue for tension within a board